In addition to the museum being free all month long—that’s right, free admission every single day—there are also free art-making activities, gallery talks, family programs, lectures, conversations, performances (you get the picture) all month long. And to entice you further, a couple of my upcoming favorite events include:

As part of their year-long dance residency at the Art Institute, dancers from Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s HS2 will perform pieces inspired by the Art Institute in the middle of Griffin Court. Come and see how these dancers interpret painting and sculpture in a thoroughly dynamic way.

Ever wonder what contemporary artists think about artists from the past? Well wonder no more. Andreas Fischer will discuss his work in relation to works by Gustave Courbet in the Art Institute’s permanent collection.

So no excuses, people! (And just for the record, I will not accept the cold, miserable weather here in Chicago as an excuse.) If you haven’t been to the Modern Wing yet, now’s the time.

The Wreathing of the Lions is one of the longest standing holiday traditions at the Art Institute. A little background for those of you not familiar with the event . . . right before the museum opens on the day after Thanksgiving, we ceremoniously hang pine wreaths around the necks of the two lions who “protect” our front steps, officially (for us, at least) marking the opening of the holiday season.

This year we’re trying something a little different. We’ve asked artist Yves Behar (whose Terra Anima is currently on view in the Modern Wing) to design new wreaths for us inspired by the Modern Wing and the spirit of the holidays. We’re not going to give it away, but here’s a close up of one of the new wreaths . . .

But don’t worry: for all of you purists out there, the traditional pine wreaths will go up in the middle of December. Happy Thanksgiving to all!